Material testing machines imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of material testing machines by South Africa reached $12.8 million in 2024 (210 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 0%. Value rose 14% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12.8M | 210 t |
| 2023 | $11.2M | 226 t |
| 2022 | $8.8M | 62 t |
| 2021 | $9.4M | 66 t |
| 2020 | $6.9M | 241 t |
| 2019 | $10.5M | 83 t |
| 2018 | $10.8M | 109 t |
| 2017 | $13.5M | 113 t |
Where South Africa imports material testing machines from
The largest suppliers were China (22%), United States (21%), Germany (17%). Among the main suppliers, Australia grew fastest (+187% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.8M | 22% |
| United States | $2.7M | 21% |
| Germany | $2.2M | 17% |
| United Kingdom | $1.2M | 9.2% |
| Italy | $852K | 6.6% |
| Switzerland | $423K | 3.3% |
| Australia | $354K | 2.8% |
| India | $343K | 2.7% |
| Sweden | $341K | 2.7% |
| Austria | $211K | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 9024
| 9024.80 | Machines and appliances: for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of materials other than metals | 53% |
| 9024.90 | Machines and appliances: parts and accessories for those testing hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of… | 29% |
| 9024.10 | Machines and appliances: for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of metals | 18% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 9024.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $60.92 per kg, close to the world average of $70.43.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Material testing machines exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported material testing machines worth $2.8 million (714 tonnes). Most of it went to Lesotho (16%), Mozambique (10%), Nigeria (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 34%. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $443K | 16% |
| Mozambique | $274K | 9.8% |
| Nigeria | $241K | 8.6% |
| DR Congo | $200K | 7.1% |
| Zambia | $185K | 6.6% |
| Botswana | $164K | 5.9% |
| Poland | $158K | 5.6% |
| Namibia | $118K | 4.2% |
| Belgium | $112K | 4% |
| Hong Kong | $91K | 3.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 9024: Machines and appliances for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity of other mechanical properties of materials (e.g. metals, wood, textiles, paper, plastics).
Common questions
What is the value of material testing machines imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported material testing machines worth $12.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 210 tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 216 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries supply material testing machines to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 22% of the value ($2.8 million), followed by the United States (21%) and Germany (17%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 60 supplier countries in total. Australia grew fastest among the top ten, up 187% on the year.
What is the average import price of material testing machines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $60.92 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $70.43 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of material testing machines to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $13.5 million in 2017 to $12.8 million in 2024, a fall of 5%. The peak was 2017 at $13.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export material testing machines?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Lesotho, Mozambique and Nigeria. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $10.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for material testing machines?
The HS code for material testing machines is heading 9024. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 9024.80 (53% of the value) and 9024.90 (29%). It sits in HS chapter 90 (optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9024 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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